Things you didn't know about Mariusz Wach
Who is Mariusz Wach?
It was announced yesterday that Tyson Fury will face Mariusz Wach at the Max Muai Thai Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand on July 24, live on Netflix.
The bout is designed to be a warm-up for 'The Gypsy King' before his November showdown with British rival Anthony Joshua.
But will Wach be such a walkover for Fury or will he still be a good enough at 46 to make it competitive? GBN found out as many intersting facts about 'The Viking' below.
Mariusz Wach Facts
Mariusz Wach was born 14 December 1979 in Kraków, Poland.
His nickname is 'The Viking'.
He emigrated to North Bergen, New Jersey, as an adult in Spetember 2010.
Wach first started boxing at the age of 11 in 1990, amassing a 90-fight amateur career that saw him represent his native Poland in numerous amateur tournaments. His greatest achievements includes two gold medals and a bronze in the Individual Polish Championships, plus a silver in the 2004 European Union Championships. Wach also represented Poland in the 2004 Summer Olympics as an alternate.
Mariusz won his pro debut in 30 seconds in April 2005.
He challenged for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles in November 2012, taking the defending champion, Wladimir Klitschko, the full distance. Wach only won one round on one card as he was outpunched 60 to 274.
He failed a doping test straight after losing that world heavyweight title fight, and readily admitted to cheating. He was duly sanctioned by the Federation of German Professional Boxing but was back in the ring just under two years later.
Wach has fought Fury before, in December 2020, but it was Hughie Fury. He took him the 10-round distance at the OVO Arena in Wembley. Wach was outboxed and lost via unanimous decision, but he did manage to inflict a cut on Hughie in the fourth round.
His last fight was in March 20206, losing a 10-round UD for the WBO European heavyweight title.
During his 21-year professional career he has won: 2x Republic of Poland International, WBC Baltic, WBC International, IBF East/West Europe heavyweight titles.
He has fought in Poland, Germany, America, Russia, Saudi Arabia, England, Canada, South Africa, Hungary.
In 2024, Wach took part in two professional kickboxing contests, winning his debut by KO, then drawing the second bout. He has also taken part in an exhibition MMA match.
He stands at 2.02 m (6 ft 71⁄2 in), with a reach of 208 cm (82 in).
